Payout unit having antijackpotting protection

ABSTRACT

A coin handling mechanism dispenses change through a rotatable payout wheel which extracts coins from coin tubes as it rotates beneath those tubes. The payout wheel is driven by an electric motor which is controlled by a timing mechanism. When the timing mechanism receives a signal for change, it connects the motor to an electrical energy source long enough to rotate the payout wheel through the angle required to dispense the correct amount of change, and once that angle is completed, the timing mechanism disconnects the motor from the electrical energy source and shorts out its terminals so that the motor is regeneratively braked. As a result, overtravel of the payout wheel is minimized. The high voltage winding for the transformer which supplies current to the motor is in circuit with the coin switches such that the transformer goes dead when any of the coin switches is held in its actuated condition. This prevents the payout unit from &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;jackpotting&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; when any one of its coin switches remains in the actuated condition.

United States Patent [191 Burzen Nov. 18, 1975 PAYOUT UNIT HAVING ANTIJACKPOTTING PROTECTION [75] Inventor: Norman J. Burzen, Pacific, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Nordon Industries, Inc., Fenton,

22 Filed: Sept. 25, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 509,084

[52] US. Cl. 133/2 [51] Int. Cl. G07F 11/24 [58] Field of Search 133/2, 4 A; l94;10/; 310/77, 92

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,260,337 7/1966 Greenwald et al 194/10 3,527,330 9/1970 Schmitt et al 194/10 Primary Examiner-Stanley l-I. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmGravely, Lieder & Woodruff [57] ABSTRACT A coin handling mechanism dispenses change through a rotatable payout wheel which extracts coins from coin tubes as it rotates beneath those tubes. The payout wheel is driven by an electric motor which is controlled by a timing mechanism. When the timing mechanism receives a signal for change, it connects the motor to an electrical energy source long enough to rotate the payout wheel through the angle required to dispense the correct amount of change, and once that angle is completed, the timing mechanism disconnects the motor from the electrical energy source and shorts out its terminals so that the motor is regeneratively braked. As a result, overtravel of the payout wheel is minimized. The high voltage winding for the transformer which supplies current to the motor is in circuit with the coin switches such that the transformer goes dead when any of the coin switches is held in its actuated condition. This prevents the payout unit from jackpotting when any one of its coin switches remains in the actuated condition.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures IZOVAC US. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheet1of4 3,920,029

U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet3of4 3,920,029

US. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheet40f4 3,920,029

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to coin handling mechanisms, and more particularly to a payout mechanism and circuit for such machines.

The more versatile coin handling mechanisms used in vending machines today have the capability of dispensing change when the amount of coin received by the mechanism exceeds the value of the sale. In most machines of this nature, the change is returned in the form of nickels. For example, in the case of insertion of a quarter into a machine programmed for a 10 cent sale, the machine will pay back three nickels in change. The nickels are usually retained in long tubes and are dispensed from these tubes by the payout mechanism.

One of the simplest payout mechanisms is basically an apertured disc which rotates below the nickel coin tubes. The disc is about the thickness of a nickel and has apertures which are large enough to accommodate a single nickel. These apertures pass directly beneath the tubes as the disc rotates and as each aperture aligns with a tube a nickel drops into it. Continued rotation of the disc brings the nickel around to a discharge opening where the nickel drops from the disc so that the customer may retrieve it. A small electric motor rotates the disc and in order to prevent the disc from jamming or paying out too many nickels in change it is necessary to stop the disc at a precise location once the correct amount of change is delivered. Heretofore, complicated brakes and clutches have been employed for this purpose, and as a result payout wheels have experienced only minimal use in the coin mechanism industry. In this regard, see US. Pat. No. 2,848,003.

Also, unless otherwise protected, the payout units of those coin handling mechanisms capable of dispensing change will jackpot, that is continue to pay out change, when one of the coin switches remains in its actuated position, that is the position to which it is moved by the coin, This occurs occasionally when the switches become sluggish and fail to return to standby or when the contacts weld together. It also occurs through the efforts of those who attempt to defeat such machines by passing wires and the like through the coin chutes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a payout unit of the rotating wheel variety with means for stopping the change dispensing wheel at precise positions and thereby preventing overtravel of the wheel. Another object is to provide a payout unit of the type stated which does not easily jam. An additional object is to provide a payout unit of the type stated which is extremely simple and highly reliable. A further object is to provide a payout unit with extremely simple and highly effective antijackpot protection.

The present invention is embodied in a payout unit which used a payout wheel to dispense change. The payout wheel is driven by an electric motor which is regeneratively braked to minimize overtravel of the payout wheel. The coin switches which cause the payout mechanism to dispense change are connected in circuit with the transformer for the payout wheel motor such that the transformer is dead when any switch remains in its actuated condition, thus providing antijackpot protection. The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and wherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever they occur:

FIG. u is a perspective view of a coin handling mechanism having the payout unit and antijackpot protection of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the payout unit and showing the start cam of the timing mechanism in its standby position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the payout unit;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and showing the payout wheel;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the timing mechanism for the payout unit with the start cam thereof in its starting or actuating position; and

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram for the electrical circuitry of the payout unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings (FIG. 1), a coin handling mechanism C includes a housing H which contains a slug rejector R, a chute assembly A, a payout unit P as well as a control unit (not shown) and circuitry which totalizes the amount of coin received. The control unit also operates the vending machine when the amount of coin inserted equals or exceeds the value of the sale, and further operates the payout unit when the amount of coin exceeds the value of the sale. The housing H has sidewalls 2 connected by a crosswall 4. The lower ends of the two sidewalls 2 are connected by a bottom wall 6. Along one of the sidewalls 2, the housing H has a coin return chute 8.

The slug rejector R (FIG. 1) is located in the upper portion of the housing H and includes a coin slot 10 into which coin is introduced into the coin mechanism C. The slug rejector R not only separates legitimate coins from illegitimate ones, the latter of which are directed to the return chute 8, but also segregates legitimate coins of different value. In particular, it separates nickels, dimes and quarters into different channels which lead to the chute assembly A.

The chute assembly A (FIG. 1) is located directly below the slug rejector R and has a nickel channel 12, a dime channel 14, and a quarter channel 16 which aligns with corresponding channels in the slug rejector R. The nickel channel 12 has a feeler wire 20 extended through and connected to a nickel switch 22 (coin swtiches 22, 26 and 30 are shown in FIG. 6) so that when a nickel passes through the channel 12 the wire 20 will be depressed and will operate the nickel switch 22. The wire 20 also projects through the dime channel 14 so the nickel switch 22 is also operated by dimes.

Likewise, the dime channel 14 has a wire 24 projected through it and connected to a dime switch 26, while the quarter channel 16 has a wire 28 projected through it and connected to a quarter switch 30. Since a dime operates both the wires 20 and 24 and the switches 22 and 26 associated with them, two pulses are provided in sequence when a dime passes through the dime channel 14.

The lower ends of the three channels 12, 14 and 16 open downwardly at the bottom of the coin chuteA so that coins passing through those chutes may be collected in a suitable receptacle. The chute assembly A also has two nickel tubes 32 and 34 (FIG. 1) which are in an upright disposition above the payout unit P. The tubes 32 and 34 are sized to hold nickels and the nickel channel 12 opens into the upper end of the tube 32. The arrangement is such that nickels falling through the nickel channel 12 will drop into the upright nickel tube 32 until that tube is completely full, at which time any further nickels will be diverted to the coin collection receptacle.

The payout unit P rests on the bottom wall 6 at the lower end of the housing H and includes a plastic or other suitable housing 40 having a pair of upwardly opening bores 42 and 44 (FIG. 2) which align with the nickel tubes 32 and 34, respectively. Indeed, the upper ends of the bores 42 and 44 remain precisely aligned with the tubes 32 and 34. The diameter of each bore 42 and 44 is slightly greater than that of a nickel so that nickels will fit loosely in the bores 42 and 44 and fall to the bottoms thereof.

The lower portion of the housing H is recessed and houses a payout wheel 46 (FIG. 4) which rotates about a screw 48 threaded into the housing 40 to the sides of the two bores 42 and 44. The screw 48 is spaced equally from the centers of the two bores 42 and 44 and is parallel to them. Hence, the wheel 46 rotates about a vertical axis. The wheel 46 is made from a suitable metal such as brass or plastic such as celcon and is as thick as or slightly thicker than a nickel. The wheel 46 has three coin apertures 50 which are located at 120 intervals, but are all located an equal distance from the axis of rotation. The distance is such that as the wheel 46 rotates the apertures 50 pass directly beneath and align with the coin bores 42 and 44. The apertures 50 are slightly larger than the bores 42 and 44 so that they easily accommodate nickels from the bores 42 and 44. Moreover, the trailing edges 52 of the aperture 50, that is the edges which last pass any particular point on the housing 40 during rotation, are beveled with the bevel facing upwardly. These beveled edges 52 extend generally radially and are not curved near as much as the leading edges which more or less conform to the configuration of a nickel. The bevel of the edges 52 prevents a coin from the bore 44 from jamming the wheel 46 when an aperture 50 containing a nickel from the bore 42 passes beneath the bore 44. Along its periphery the wheel 46 is provided with gear teeth 54.

The recess in the lower portion of the housing 40 also receives a bottom closure plate 56 (FIG. 4) which extends across and contacts the lower face of the wheel 46 to prevent nickels from falling out of the apertures 50. The closure plate 56 has a discharge opening 58 over which the aperture 50 passes as the payout wheel 46 rotates. The discharge opening 58 is offset in the circumferential direction from the coin bores 42 and 44.

The teeth 54 of the payout wheel 46 mesh with a pinion gear 59 (FIG. 4) having exactly one-third the number of teeth as the payout wheel 46 so that the payout wheel 46 rotates 120 for every complete revolution of the pinion gear 59. The pinion gear 59 is mounted on a control shaft 62 which extends upwardly through a gear box 64 (FIG. 3) contained within the housing 40, and the gear box 64 houses a gear train which is powered by a low voltage direct current motor 60 bolted to the upper wall of the housing 40. The gear train of the gear box 64 is interposed between the motor 60 and the pinion gear 59, and effects a speed reduction between the two so that the gear 59 and control shaft 62 rotate considerably slower than the motor 60.

The control shaft 62 projects completely through the upper wall of the housing 40, and this portion of the shaft 62 is fitted with a control cam (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is mounted rigidly thereon. The lobe for the cam 66 extends around most of the cam periphery and is of constant radius. It is interrupted by a single depression or valley 68 of relatively short arcuate length. Projecting axially from the upper surface of the cam 66 generally on the opposite side from valley 68 is a drive pin or abutment 70 which is offset from the axis of rotation for the shaft 62.

The control cam 66 carries a start cam 72 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is mounted on the upper surface thereof and pivots about a retaining screw 73 threaded into the cam 66 at the axis of rotation thereof. Hence, the start cam 72 pivots with respect to the control cam 66 about the axis of rotation for the control shaft 62. On its one side, the start cam 72 is provided with a relief 74 which accommodates the abutment 70 on the control cam 66, and this relief 74 occupies an are considerably longer than that occupied by the abutment 70. This permits the start cam 72 to pivot on the control cam 66 through a limited arc, with the limits of the arcuate movement occuring when the end edges of the relief 74 bear against the abutment 70 of the control cam 66. When the abutment 70 is against the leading edge of the relif 74 (FIG. 2), the start cam 72 is in its engaged position with respect to the control cam 66 and the abutment 70 will rotate the start cam 72 so that the two cams 66 and 72 rotate in unison. When the start cam 72 is so disposed, its lobe, which is the same radius as the lobe on the control cam 66, extends up to the trailing end of the valley 68 on the control cam 66 and then turns inwardly so that the valley 68 on the control cam 66 is not obscured. However, when the start cam 72 is rotated relative to the control cam 66 such that the trailing edge of its relief 74 is against the abutment 70 (FIG. 4), the lobe of the start earn 72 is completely over the valley 68 of the control cam 66 so that the lobes of the two cams 66 and 72 form a surface of constant radius around the axis of rotation for the control shaft 62. Finally, the start cam 72 has an activating pin 75 projected axially from its upper surface and offset from the axis of rotation for the shaft 62.

Bolted to the upper wall of the housing adjacent to the control and start cam 66 and 72 is a motor control switch 76 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) having an operating blade 78 which bears against lobes on the two cams 66 and 74. Actually, the blade 78 bridges the plane separating the two cams 66 and 74 so the blade 78 will be depressed by the lobes of either of the cams 66 and 74 (FIG. 3). The switch 76 is connected to and controls the motor 60. When the blade 78 is depressed the switch 76 is in its actuated condition, that is the condition which permits the motor 60 to run. However, when the blade 78 is extended, the switch 76 is in its standby condition and does not cause the motor 60 to be energized. The blade 78 is permitted to extend only when the valley 68 of the control cam 66 is located opposite to it and the start cam 72 is in its engaged position (FIG. 2), that is the position in which the leading edge of its relief 74 is against the abutment 70 on the control cam 66. When the cams 66 and 72 are so disposed, which is termed an initial or standby position, the blade 78 of the switch 76 projects into the valley 68 of the cam 66.

While start cam 72 naturally assumes the engaged position with respect to the control cam 66, that is the position in which the abutment 70 drives the start cam 72, the start cam 72 is momentarily moved out of this position to depress the blade 78 of the control switch 76, by a solenoid actuator 80 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) including a coil 82 mounted on the cross wall 4 of the main housing H and an armature 84 which moves axially in the coil 82. The end of the armature 84 is connected to the actuating pin 75 of the start cam 72 by a tensiontype coil spring 86. When the control cam 66 is in its initial position and the start cam 72 is in its engaged position, the armature 84 is extended and the connecting spring 86 is contracted and disposed at an oblique angle with respect to armature 84. When the coil 82 of the solenoid is energized, it retracts the armature 84, which draws the spring 86 to a more aligned disposition with respect to the armature 84. The spring 86 without stretching rotates the control cam 72 which in turn depresses the blade 78 of the control switch 76, thus energizing the motor 60 FIG. 5).

As the motor 60 runs the control shaft 62 and cam 66 rotate and eventually the abutment 70 on the latter comes against the leading edge of the relief 74 on the start cam 72 and the start cam 72 again assumes its engaged position. Thereafter, the two cams 66 and 72 rotate in unison with the blade 78 being held depressed by the lobe on the control cam 66. At the end of one complete revolution for the control shaft 62 and cam 66, the blade 78 will again drop into the valley 68 and switch 76 will change to its standby condition, in which case the motor 60 will be de-energized.

Should the solenoid actuator 80 remain energized, the motor 60 will continue to operate and the control cam 72 will make more than one revolution. In such an instance, the abutment 70 of the cam 66 picks up the start cam 72 and causes the two cams 66 and 72 to rotate in unison, and the spring 86 merely expands while the solenoid armature 84 remains retracted. Once the pin 75 on the start cam 72 reaches an overcenter position with respect to the axis of the cam 72, the expanded spring 86 quickly rotates the start cam 72 away from its engaged position so that the lobe on the start cam 72 covers the valley 68 in the control cam 66 before that valley 68 again aligns with the switch blade 78. Hence, the start cam 66 rotates through its initial or start position without interruption. Shortly after entering the last revolution, the solenoid 80 is de-energized so that the start cam 72 acting through the spring 86 withdraws the armature 84 as it continues to rotate and the start cam 72 therefore remains in its engaged position so as to permit the switch blade 78 to drop into the valley 68 at the end of the last revolution.

The two cams 66 and 72, the control switch 76 and the solenoid actuator 80 constitute a timing apparatus for controlling the motor and likewise the payout wheel 46, and this timing apparatus is described in US. patent application Ser. No. 425,525, of Norman Burzen, filed Dec. 17, 1973.

When the control cam 66 is in its initial or standby position, the payout wheel 46 is disposed such that the leading edge of one of the apertures 50 extends under the coin bore 42 and the next aperture50 is located directly beneath the coin bore 44 (FIG. 4). The leading edge of the aperture 50 at the bore 44 also extends partly over the discharge opening 58, but is not advanced far enough to enable a coin within it to fall out of the opening 58, while the beveled trailing edge 52 of that aperture 50 is located slightly behind the tube. The third aperture 50 is between the discharge opening 58 6 and the bore 42. When control shaft 62 under goes one revolution, the payout wheel 46 rotates 120 and all the apertures 50 are merely advanced one position. Hence, it is important to stop the payout wheel precisely at 120 intervals.

Considering now the aperture 50 located between the discharge opening 58 and the bore 42 (FIG. 4), this aperture will be empty in that position. The first revolution of the control shaft 62 will rotate the wheel 46 120 and will bring that aperture 50 to the position in which its leading edge extends across the bottom of the coin bore 42. Coins in the bore 42 will merely rest on the upper surface of the wheel 46. The second revolution of the control shaft 62 also rotates the payout wheel 46 120 and during this 120 movement the aperture 50 under consideration passes directly beneath the coin bore 42 and picks up a single coin, assuming that at least one coin is in the bore 42. At the end of the second 120 movement the aperture 50 comes to rest under the second bore 44. If the aperture 50 has already received a coin from the first bore 42, that coin merely passes beneath the stack of coins in the second bore 44. In this regard, the beveled trailing edge 52 of the aperture 50 prevents the lowermost coin in the bore 44 from jamming the wheel 46 as it passes under that bore. On the other hand, if the first bore 42 is empty, the aperture 50 will remain empty until it comes to rest under the second bore 44, at which time a coin from the second bore 44 will drop into the aperture 50. During the third revolution of the control shaft 62, the aperture 50 under consideration passes over the discharge opening 58 and the coin in it drops from the coin handling mechanism C. That 120 movement for the payout wheel 46 brings the aperture 50 back to the emtpy position between the discharge opening 58 and the first coin bore 42. Thus, the wheel 46 extracts coins from the coin tube 32 first and if that tube is empty, then from the tube 34. It will be recalled that the tube 32 is supplied with nickels deposited in the coin handling mechanism C, while the tube 34 is filled by the service man.

Antijackpot protection and precise positioning of the payout wheel 46 at the end of each revolution for the control shaft 62 are provided by a unique circuit incorporating the three coin switches 22, 26 and 30, the motor 60, the motor control switch 76, and the solenoid actuator 80. The circuit includes (FIG. 6) high voltage mains 90 and 92 across which V AC exists. Connected in series between the mains 90 and 92 through their normally closed contacts are the three coin switches 22, 26 and 30 and the high voltage winding of a transformer 94. Therefore, when the coin switches 22, 26 and 30 are at standby, that is when they are not tripped by a coin, the transformer 94 is energized. However, when anyone of the switches 22, 26 or 30 is actuated, the transformer 94 goes dead. Thus, when a coin trips anyone of the switches 22, 26 or 30 the transformer 94 will momentarily be dead.

The transformer 94 reduces the voltage and its low voltage winding is connected to a diode bridge 96 which converts the reduced voltage alternating current to direct current. One lead from the diode bridge 96 is connected directly to a terminal of the motor 60, while the other lead is connected to the normally open contact of the control switch 76. The pivot contact for the switch 76 is connected to the other terminal of the motor 60, while the normally closed contact for the switch 76 is connected to that motor terminal to which the diode bridge 96 is connected. Therefore, where the control switch 76 is at standby the terminals of the motor 60 are shorted. However, when the switch 78 is moved to its actuated position, the terminals of the motor 60 are connected to the direct current terminals of the diode bridge 94 and the motor 60 operates, assuming that the transformer 94 is energized. Indeed, the motor continues to run until the cams 66 and 72 on the control shaft 62 permit the switch 76 to return to its standby condition.

The normally open contact of the nickel switch 22 is connected to one terminal of a solenoid actuator 98, while the other terminal of the actuator 98 is connected to the main 92. The solenoid actuator 98 forms part of a credit mechanism which is actually a stepping device designed to step one increment for each nickel supplied to the device and two increments for each dime. Such a device is disclosed in US. patent application Ser. No. 492,778 of Norman Burzen entitled CONTROL MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE VEND PRICE OF A COIN HANDLING MECHANISM. The solenoid actuator 98 forms part of the control unit for the coin handling mechanism C and is energized each time a nickel or dime passes through their respective channels 12 and 14 in the chute assembly A. In this regard, it will be recalled that the feeler wire 20 for the nickel switch 22 projects through both the nickel and dime channels 12 and 14 and is therefore tripped by both nickels and dimes. This enables a dime to provide two sequential pulses.

The normally open contact of the dime switch 26 is connected to the pivot contact of an overinsert switch 100 which likewise forms part of the control unit for the coin handling mechanism C. This switch is controlled by the credit mechanism (usually a cam in the credit mechanism) and when the amount of coin inserted is less than the value of the sale it places the solenoid actuator 98 in contact with the normally open contact of the dime switch 26. Consequently, each time the dime switch is closed, the solenoid actuator is energized and steps the credit mechanism once. Of course, a dime also operates the nickel switch 22 an instant prior to operating the dime switch so that a dime causes the credit mechanism to step twice. If a dime causes the total amount of the coin inserted to exceed the value of the sale by cents, the overinsert switch 100 will be actuated upon the first step of the credit mechanism, that is the step caused as a result of the dime closing the nickel switch 22, and will place the normally open contact of the dime switch 26 in contact with one terminal of the coil 82 for the solenoid actuator 80. The other terminal of the coil 82 is connected to the main 92. Hence, as the dime continues on and trips the dime switch 26, the coil 82 of the solenoid actuator 80 is placed across the mains and the armature 84 is retracted. This, of course, shifts the start cam 72 out of its engaged position and the cam 72 moves the switch 76 to its actuated condition.

When the switch 76 changes to its actuated condition, as a result of the solenoid actuator 80 being momentarily energized, the motor 60 is placed across the terminals of the diode bridge 96 and begins to rotate. The control shaft 62 and payout wheel 46 also rotate and after about a quarter turn the abutment 70 on the control cam engages the start cam 72 and the two cams 66 and 72 rotate in unison. The blade 78 of the switch 76 bears against the lobe on the control cam 66 and remains depressed, in which case the switch 76 remains in its actuated condition. At the end of one revolution,

the blade 78 drops into the valley 68 of the control cam 66 and the switc 76 reverts back to its standby condition. In that condition, the terminals of the motor 60 are shorted through the switch 76. As the motor 60 continues to rotate, it acts as a generator and since it is supplying a very low resistance (a short circuit), the tendency to rotate is greatly impeded. Indeed, the motor 60 stops rotating quite rapidly and overtravel is of very small magnitude. In short, the motor 60 is regeneratively braked to minimize overtravel of the payout wheel 46.

As the control shaft 62 rotates through one revolution, the payout wheel moves 120 and discharges a nickel in change though the discharge 58.

Turning now to the quarter switch 30, the normally open contact of that switch is connected to the coil of a payout relay 102 so that when the switch 30 is actuated, the payout relay 102 is energized and its three contacts 102A, 1023 and 102C close. The contact 102C is connected to the main 90 through the contacts 104 of a quarter holding relay (not shown) which is likewise energized when the quarter switch 30 is actuated. The contact 102C keeps the relay 102 energized after the switch 30 returns to its standby conditions. The contact 102A of the relay 102 is connected to the pivot contact of a high price switch 106 which, like the overinsert switch 100, is controlled by the credit mechanism (usually a cam in the credit mechanism). When the credit mechanism is at standby, that is awaiting the introduction of a coin into the mechanism C, the high price switch 106 is open as to the contacts 102A. The pivot contact of the high price switch 106, aside from being connected with the relay contacts 102A, is also connected to the pivot contact of a payout switch 108 which is also operated by the credit mechanism (usually a cam in the credit mechanism). One contact of the payout switch 108 is connected to the contacts 102B of the quarter payout relay 102 hich in turn is connected with the coil 82 of the solenoid actuator 80 for the payout unit P. Thus, when the coil 82 is connected with the main through the contacts 102B, the payout switch 108, and the high price switch 106, the solenoid 80 will be energized to start the motor 60 of the payout unit P. The remaining contact of the payout switch 108 is connected to the coil 98 of the solenoid actuator for the credit mechanism through an interrupter switch which also forms part of the credit mechanism. The irrterrupter switch 110 opens each time the coil 98 is energized so as to impart a stepping action to the credit mechanism (usually a cam is stepped one increment each time the interrupter switch 110 opens and closes). Finally, the solenoid actuator 98 of the credit mechanism is also connected to the main 90 through a switch 112 which is actuated by the control cam 66. Actually, a land on the lower hub portion of the control cam 66 closes and opens the switch 112 once each revolution of the cam 66 (FIG. 3).

When a quarter passes through the quarter channel 16 and momentarily closes the quarter holding relay is energized (by a circuit not shown) to close its contacts 104 and the quarter payout relay 102 is also energized. The latter remains energized through the circuit completed through its contacts 102C. The credit mechanism will begin stepping toward its homing position, and as it does it will close the high price switch 106 and thereafter cause the contacts 104 of the holding relay to open. When the high price switch 106 closes the 9 holding circuit for the quarter payout relay 106 is completed through the contacts 102A. The relay 106 remains energized through the contacts 102A until the credit mechanism returns to its standby condition, at which time the switch 106 opens.

The payout switch 108 remains connected with the interrupter switch 110 until the number of steps to the next standby position corresponds to differences between the value of the sale and 25 cents, at which time the credit mechanism actuates the payout switch 108 causing it to complete a circuit between the closed contacts 102B of the payout relay 102 and the closed high price switch 106. For example, if the sale is cents, the payout switch 108 will remain connected with the interrupter switch 110 until two steps before the standby position for the credit mechanism. Then it will change so as to be connected with the contacts 102B. Of course, once the payout switch 108 changes, the coil 82 of the solenoid actuator 80 is energized through the closed contacts 102B, the payout switch 108, and the high price switch 106, and the payout unit P begins dispensing change. For each revolution of the control cam 66 the switch 112 closes and opens and thereby steps the credit mechanism. The control cam 66 thus steps the credit mechanism back to its initial position, and change is dispensed from the payout wheel 46 during each step as it does.

If the diode bridge 96 were always live, then the payout unit P would be susceptible to jackpotting once the credit mechanism changes the overinsert switch 100 or the payout switch 108 to their payout conditions, that is the conditions in which the solenoid actuator 80 is connected with the main 90 through the normally open contact of the dime switch 26 or through the contact 102B and the switches 108 and 106. For expmple, one attempting to defeat the mechanism C would feed a wire through the dime channel 14 and keep the feeler wire 28 depressed, so that the dime switch 26 would remain actuated. In that case, the solenoid actuator 80 would also remain energized and the motor 60 would continue to run, rotating the payout wheel 46 as it did. Each revolution of the payout wheel 46 would result in three nickels being dispensed. In this connection, it should be recalled that when the solenoid actuator 80 remains energized, the connecting spring 86 expands and contracts with each revolution of the control shaft 62 and in effect extends the lobe past the valley 68 when the valley 68 would otherwise receive the switch blade 78 and permit the switch 76 to return to its standby position. The presence of a wire in the dime channel 14 would in other words jackpot the payout unit P. The same effect might occur if the dime switch 26 were sluggish and refused to return to its standby condition oor if the contacts or the switch 26 became welded together.

J ackpotting of the payout unit P does not occur inasmuch as movement of anyone of the coin switches 22, 26 or 30 to its actuated condition breaks the circuit to the transformer 94 which in turn deadens the diode bridge 94. Therefore, the motor 60 will not operate to rotate the payout wheel 46 and dispense change. In normal operation the coin switches 22, 26 and 30 are actuated only momentarily, and return to their standby conditions almost instantaneously, thus permitting operation of the motor 60. However, should one of the switches 22, 26 or 30 for any reason remain in its actuated position, the transformer 94 will be dead so that 10 the motor 60 cannot operate to dispense change. This eliminates jackpotting.

Finally, the solenoid actuator is connected in series across the mains and 92 with an inventory switch 114, having two contacts 114A and 114B. The contacts 114A are between the main 90 and the transformer 94, while the contacts 114B are between the main 90 and the coil 82 of the solenoid actuator 80. When the switch 114 is closed, the circuit through the contact 1 14B energizes the solenoid actuator 80 which holds its armature 84 in, thus permitting the control shaft 62 to complete many revolutions without interruption. This enables a service man to withdraw change from the coin handling mechanism C. The circuit established though the contact 114A places the transformer 94 across the mains 90 and 92 so that the payout unit Pwill operate even if one of the coin switches 22, 26 or 30 fails.

The invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A payout apparatus for use in a coin handling machine to dispense coins from the machine, said apparatus comprising a wheel having at least one aperture therein sized to receive a coin; feed means for directing coins to the aperture in the wheel; retaining means for retaining a coin in the aperture until the aperture reaches a predetermined position; an electric motor connectedwith the payout wheel for rotating the payout wheel, the motor having terminals; and timing means for connecting the motor to an electrical energy source to energize the motor, for disconnecting the motor from the electrical energy source after the payout wheel has rotated a predetermined amount, and for further connecting the terminals of the motor such that a very low resistance is placed across it terminals after the motor has rotated said predetermined amount, whereby the motor is regeneratively braked.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the timing means comprises a control shaft driven by the motor in predetermined relation to the payout wheel; a control cam on the control shaft, and a control switch operated by the cam.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the control cam causes the switch to move from an actuated condition, wherein it permits the motor to operate, to a standby condition wherein it connects the terminals of the motor, when the payout wheel has rotated said predetermined amount.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the timing means further comprises starting means for changing the switch to its actuated condition in response to a signal.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the starting means comprises a start cam rotatable relative to the control cam such that in one position it permits the switch to remain in its standby position and in its other position causes the switch to assume its actuated condition even though the control cam would permit the switch to remain in its standby condition, and means for rotating the start cam to its other position.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for rotating the start cam to its other position is a solenoid actuator.

Tl. An anpparatus according to claim 6 wherein the solenoid actuator is connected to the start cam through an expansible spring.

8. In a coin handling mechanism including payout means for despensing coins, said payout means including electrically operated motor means which when energized causes the payout means to dispense coin, the improvement comprising at least one coin switch positioned to be tripped by a coin passing through the mechanism, said coin switch being normally in a standby condition but momentarily moving to an actuated position when tripped by a coin, the motor means being connected to an electrical energy source through the coin switch when the coin switch is in its standby condition, the circuit to the motor means being interrupted at the coin switch when the coin switch is in its actuated condition, whereby the payout means will not dispense coin as long as the coin switch is in its actuated condition.

9. The arrangement according to claim 8 wherein a transformer is interposed between the electrical energy source and the motor means with the low voltage winding of the transformer being connected to the motor means and the high voltage winding being connected to the energy source through the coin switch, whereby when the coin switch is moved to its actuated condition, the transformer goes dead and the motor means will not operate.

10. The arrangement according to claim 8 and further comprising timing means for controlling the motor and including start means for starting the motor in response to an electrical signal, and an overinsert switch interposed between start means and the coin switch and placing the start means in circuit with the coin switch when the amount of coin exceeds the value of the sale for which the coin handling mechanism is programmed, the start means being connected to the coin switch such that when the coin switch is changed to its acutated condition, the start means is energized.

11. The arrangement according to claim 9 and further comprising a control switch interposed between the motor and the low voltage winding of the transformer, the control switch normally being in a standby condition wherein a circuit to the motor is interrupted, but also having an actuated condition wherein the circuit to the motor means is completed, a payout wheel rotated by the motor for dispensing a coin upon rotating through a prescribed angle, a control cam rotated by the motor in predetermined relation to the payout wheel, the cam operating the control switch such that it causes the control switch to move from its actuated to its standby condition and thereby de-energize the motor after the cam has rotated through a prescribed angle, and start means for causing the control switch to move to its actuated condition in response to an electrical 12. The arrangement according to claim 11 and further comprising an overinsert switch interposed between the start means and the coin switch and placing the start means in circuit with the coin switch when the amount of coin inserted into the coin handling mechanism exceeds the value of the sale for which the mechanism is programmed, the start means being connected to the coin switch such that when the coin switch is changed to its actuated condition the start means is energized.

13. In a coin handling mechanism capable of accepting coins and recognizing when the total value of coin inserted exceeds the value of the sale for which the mechanism is programmed, an improved payout unit comprising: at least one coin reservoir in which coins are stored in a stacked condition; a payout wheel rotatable at one end of the reservoir and having at least one aperture sized to receive the coins, whereby as the wheel rotates, coins are extracted from the stack at predetermined angular intervals of revolution for the payout wheel; retaining means for retaining the coin in the aperture until the wheel reach a predetermined position; an electrically operated motor coupled to the payout wheel for rotating the payout wheel; and timing means for connecting the motor to an electrical energy source to start the motor, and for disconnecting the motor from the electrical energy source after the payout wheel has rotated through a selected angle, said timing means connecting the terminals of the motor upon disconnecting the motor from the electrical energy source so that the motor is regeneratively braked and the payout wheel comes to rest in a predetermined position with minimum overtravel.

14. The arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the payout wheel has a plurality of apertures and one of the apertures aligns with the coin reservoir each time the payout wheel comes to rest in said preselected posi- Patent No. 3 920 029 Dated November 18, 1975 Inventor(s) Norman J. Burzen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column Column Column Column Column Column Column Column Column Column [SEAL] line 7, afterTigi the letter "u" should be line 3, after *cam the number "66 has been omitted.

line 3, chance swito to switch line 55, after "condition" change "001? to or.

line 5, after for" and before "coins" change "despensing to dispensing line 39, at the beginning of line change ac1.1tated"' to actuated-.

line 8, the word "signal has been omitted.

Signed and Sealed this thirteenth Day of Aprz'l 1976 Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON Alu'sling Officer C. MARSHALL DANN (unmzmiunvr of Parents and .Trm/vnmrks 

1. A payout apparatus for use in a coin handling machine to dispense coins from the machine, said apparatus comprising a wheel having at least one aperture therein sized to receive a coin; feed means for directing coins to the aperture in the wheel; retaining means for retaining a coin in the aperture until the aperture reaches a predetermined position; an electric motor connected with the payout wheel for rotating the payout wheel, the motor having terminals; and timing means for connecting the motor to an electrical energy source to energize the motor, for disconnecting the motor from the electrical energy source after the payout wheel has rotated a predetermined amount, and for further connecting the terminals of the motor such that a very low resistance is placed across it terminals after the motor has rotated said predetermined amount, whereby the motor is regeneratively braked.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the timing means comprises a control shaft driven by the motor in predetermined relation to the payout wheel; a control cam on the control shaft, and a control switch operated by the cam.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the control cam causes the switch to move from an actuated condition, wherein it permits the motor to operate, to a standby condition wherein it connects the terminals of the motor, when the payout wheel hAs rotated said predetermined amount.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the timing means further comprises starting means for changing the switch to its actuated condition in response to a signal.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the starting means comprises a start cam rotatable relative to the control cam such that in one position it permits the switch to remain in its standby position and in its other position causes the switch to assume its actuated condition even though the control cam would permit the switch to remain in its standby condition, and means for rotating the start cam to its other position.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for rotating the start cam to its other position is a solenoid actuator.
 7. An anpparatus according to claim 6 wherein the solenoid actuator is connected to the start cam through an expansible spring.
 8. In a coin handling mechanism including payout means for despensing coins, said payout means including electrically operated motor means which when energized causes the payout means to dispense coin, the improvement comprising at least one coin switch positioned to be tripped by a coin passing through the mechanism, said coin switch being normally in a standby condition but momentarily moving to an actuated position when tripped by a coin, the motor means being connected to an electrical energy source through the coin switch when the coin switch is in its standby condition, the circuit to the motor means being interrupted at the coin switch when the coin switch is in its actuated condition, whereby the payout means will not dispense coin as long as the coin switch is in its actuated condition.
 9. The arrangement according to claim 8 wherein a transformer is interposed between the electrical energy source and the motor means with the low voltage winding of the transformer being connected to the motor means and the high voltage winding being connected to the energy source through the coin switch, whereby when the coin switch is moved to its actuated condition, the transformer goes dead and the motor means will not operate.
 10. The arrangement according to claim 8 and further comprising timing means for controlling the motor and including start means for starting the motor in response to an electrical signal, and an overinsert switch interposed between start means and the coin switch and placing the start means in circuit with the coin switch when the amount of coin exceeds the value of the sale for which the coin handling mechanism is programmed, the start means being connected to the coin switch such that when the coin switch is changed to its acutated condition, the start means is energized.
 11. The arrangement according to claim 9 and further comprising a control switch interposed between the motor and the low voltage winding of the transformer, the control switch normally being in a standby condition wherein a circuit to the motor is interrupted, but also having an actuated condition wherein the circuit to the motor means is completed, a payout wheel rotated by the motor for dispensing a coin upon rotating through a prescribed angle, a control cam rotated by the motor in predetermined relation to the payout wheel, the cam operating the control switch such that it causes the control switch to move from its actuated to its standby condition and thereby de-energize the motor after the cam has rotated through a prescribed angle, and start means for causing the control switch to move to its actuated condition in response to an electrical
 12. The arrangement according to claim 11 and further comprising an overinsert switch interposed between the start means and the coin switch and placing the start means in circuit with the coin switch when the amount of coin inserted into the coin handling mechanism exceeds the value of the sale for which the mechanism is programmed, the start means being connected to the coin switch such that when the coin switch is changed to its actuatEd condition the start means is energized.
 13. In a coin handling mechanism capable of accepting coins and recognizing when the total value of coin inserted exceeds the value of the sale for which the mechanism is programmed, an improved payout unit comprising: at least one coin reservoir in which coins are stored in a stacked condition; a payout wheel rotatable at one end of the reservoir and having at least one aperture sized to receive the coins, whereby as the wheel rotates, coins are extracted from the stack at predetermined angular intervals of revolution for the payout wheel; retaining means for retaining the coin in the aperture until the wheel reach a predetermined position; an electrically operated motor coupled to the payout wheel for rotating the payout wheel; and timing means for connecting the motor to an electrical energy source to start the motor, and for disconnecting the motor from the electrical energy source after the payout wheel has rotated through a selected angle, said timing means connecting the terminals of the motor upon disconnecting the motor from the electrical energy source so that the motor is regeneratively braked and the payout wheel comes to rest in a predetermined position with minimum overtravel.
 14. The arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the payout wheel has a plurality of apertures and one of the apertures aligns with the coin reservoir each time the payout wheel comes to rest in said preselected position. 